Many fires were sparked by the weather, with climate crisis increasing lightning strikes amid blistering heat and dry conditions
Fire crews made progress in the battle against major wildfires that have left a trail of damage in the western United States, but thousands of firefighters continue to tackle the flames.
In northern California, the so-called Park fire, grew at ferocious speeds to become one of the largest wildfires in the state this year. In southern California, a blaze swept through the historic mining town of Havilah. And in Oregon and Idaho, authorities were assessing the damage caused by several large wildfires raging there.
The fires are some of more than 100 blazes burning in the US at the moment. Some were lit, but many were sparked by the weather, with climate change increasing the frequency of lightning strikes as the western US endures blistering heat and bone-dry conditions.
As of Monday, the Park fire had scorched an area greater than the city of Los Angeles, darkening the sky with smoke and engaging thousands of firefighters. The blaze spanned more than 562 sq miles (1,455 sq km) near the university town of Chico.
The fire started Wednesday, when authorities say a man pushed a burning car into a gully in Chico and then fled. A man accused of setting the fire is due in court Monday.
